Broughton/Crumpsall Continental Friends

Cheshire Continental Friends

Lively Discussions
We had lively discussions on a variety of current topics, including an in/out referendum on the EU. The afternoon was completed by a magnificent tea. Many thanks to Wendy for organising the afternoon and to hosts Peter and Heather for their hospitality.

Didsbury Continental Friends

‘Fulfilled and Unfulfilled Ambitions’
In a discussion centred around ‘fulfilled and unfulfilled’ ambitions, it was most interesting to hear how members had managed to fulfill ‘similar’ or ‘related’ goals. An example was one member’s desire to be an opera singer, which was impossible due to family obligations and commitments. However, this lady was able to showcase her talent by joining a choir!

Dundee

A Delightful Afternoon
A delightful afternoon at the home of Zofia Allen. We were delighted to welcome Karola and Peter Regent and Charlotte Gamzu to our gathering. There was no shortage of topics of conversation - rather of finding sufficient time to explore the numerous points of interest over a delicious tea. Armed with all these topics, we look forward to future gatherings here.

Edinburgh

‘Jews in Scotland’ Exhibition
Members visited the ancient town of Linlithgow, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, where an exhibition of some 80 black-and-white photos by Judith Passow were on show at the Burgh Hall. The subject of the exhibition was ‘Jews in Scotland’. Passow spent a year on this project, tracking down Jews in such far-flung locations as the island of Yell in the Shetlands as well as the larger communities of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee.

Glasgow

Recollections of the Kindertransport
Several members attended the Scottish Jewish Archive Centre Open Day to hear Michele Gold discuss her new book on the Kindertransport. Following a clip from a TV programme of some years ago of Esther Rantzen interviewing Sir Nicholas Winton, Michele invited Kinder present to stand up and they were applauded enthusiastically. Renee and Henry explained that shortly after arriving on the Kindertransport, they were uprooted again - evacuated from Glasgow to the countryside.

Glasgow Book Club

A Most Enjoyable Afternoon
The May Book Club was held at the home of Anthea Berg. As usual, it was a most enjoyable afternoon spent discussing our book, Philippa Gregory’s The Constant Princess, which was enjoyed by everyone. Followed by a lovely tea.

Glasgow CF

Life of a Kosher Caterer
Thirty-six people turned out for Doreen Cohen’s trip Down Memory Lane. Doreen, formerly of Simcha Catering, enlightened us with stories of life as a kosher caterer to the Glasgow Jewish community. Her tales of catering a function at which President Bill Clinton was guest of honour as well as walking out of a council function when they insisted on using council dishes went down well.

Harrogate/York CF

‘Summertime’ Meal Out
Members enjoyed a ‘summertime’ meal out at a local restaurant. Good company, good conversation and good food made the whole evening a success and an extremely good time was had by all!

Leeds (Continental Friends)

Fulfilled Ambitions
As always, Leeds members enjoyed a ‘sumptuous’ afternoon tea courtesy of the host, Barbara Cammerman. The welcome refreshments followed a most interesting discussion session about fulfilled ambitions and things we may still wish to do.

Liverpool

Children of the Holocaust
We had a presentation by Kath Shackleton from Fettle Animation on their multi-award-nominated Children of the Holocaust. We were all overwhelmed by how much an animated film could portray such difficult subject matter so effectively.

Manchester (Continental Friends)

The Delights of Jewish Humour
Budding comedian and klezmer performer Ian Stern revealed to us much of the humour with which Jewish performers have delighted the world. We laughed at video clips of the likes of Mason and Borge. A delightful afternoon.

Newcastle

‘A Family’s Escape’
Our very own Betty Weiner was runner-up in the Memoirs section of the 2014 Fish Anthology writing competition and her 4,000-word entry on her family’s journey from Vienna in 1938 was selected for publication. Betty read us excerpts from her entry. Her talk, entitled ‘Writing about a Family’s Escape’, was well attended and followed by a sit-down tea.

Sheffield

The Life of Geoffrey Perry
Ian Vellins gave an absolutely fascinating talk on Geoffrey Perry, a refugee from Germany who became a well-known millionaire publisher. While serving as an officer in the British army, Perry was involved in the shooting and capture of the British traitor Lord Haw-Haw. The talk generated much lively discussion and was followed by the usual excellent refreshments.

Whitefield/Prestwich Continental Friends

Super Turnout
There was a super turnout at the home of Ruth and Werner Lachs for a discussion about favourite films and actors. The afternoon finished splendidly with a table full of cream cakes, strudel, lemon drizzle cake and iced kuchen. A good time was had by all.